Winding and cabling machine



June 19, 1923. 1,458,997

F. H. SLEEPER WINDING AND CABLING MACHINE Filed July 8, 1921 2Sheets-Sheet 1 jw Q n 8 B 3 mm F. H. SLEEPER WINDING AND CABLING MACHINEFiled July 8. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 19, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK H. SLEEPER, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO SLEEPER &HARTLEY, INC., OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSA-CHUSETTS.

WINDING AND CABLING MACHINE.

Application filed July 8,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK H. SLEEPER, a citizen of the Dominion ofCanada, residing at \V'orcester, in the count of \Vorcester andCommonwealth of lVassachusetts, United States of America, have inventeda new and useful Improvement in a \Vinding and Cabling Machine, of whichthe following, together with the accompanying drawin ts, is aspecification.

ly invention relates to machines for the production of flexible shaftingand other cabled and wound forms, and has for its object to providecertain improvements in machines of this class whereby their generaleffectiveness and reliability in operation, as compared with priormachines, is greatly increased.

Such machines, as generally heretofore constructed, have comprised arotatable flyer or head upon which is mounted a plurality of spoolscarrying the wire or other flexible material which it is desired to formor wind. In such prior machines, the spools have usually been arrangedabout the axis of rotation of the flyer, the separate wires from theseveral spools being led to a suitable winding point located atsubstantially the center of the spools. With the above describedarrangement, it has been found that when the flyer is rotated at highspeeds, the weight of the spools and the material thereon subjects theframe of the machine to severe and unbalanced strains, owing to the factthat the spools differ in wei ht and are located at a considerableradial ist-ance from the axis of rotation of the flyer. The forces setup by the rotation of the fiyer tend both to displace the spools and to1mpose severe and unequal stresses on the bearmgs supporting the flyer.Furthermore, it is obvious that should one spool have a greater amountof material thereon than the other spools, the forces developed byrotation will be so unbalanced as to tend to set up undesirablevibrations in the flyer, thereby very materially limiting the operatinspeed of the machine besides having detrimental efiects upon the productof the machine.

According to the present invention, I propose to provide a machine inwhich the above described operating difliculties are 1921. Serial No.483,265.

completely eliminated, owing to the fact that the flyer is always inbalance andcan therefore be operated at very high speeds without beingsubjected to stresses set up by centrifugal force, due to its rotation.These and other advantageous features of my invention will hereinaftermore fully appear, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, inwhich Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a machine embodying myinvention.

Fig. 2 is a. view in end elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1,looking in the direction of the flyer.

Fig. 3 is a view in end elevation, at the driving end of the machine.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view along the line 4-4, Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a partial sectional the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a )artial sectional view along the line 6-6 of ig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view showing a detail of my invention.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the different figures.

Referring to the drawings, the machine generallv comprises a table 1supported on suitable legs 2, and above which is rotatably mounted anelongated flyer body 3. The flyer body 3 is generally cylindrical inform and is provided at one end with an enlarged head 4, which, as bestshown in Fig. 5, is hollow and provides a circumferential rim or flange5 of considerably reater diameter than the body portion 3. he flyer body3 is rotatably supported at one end by a plurality of rolls 6 which areangularly spaced around the rim 5 and are in rolling contact therewith.Each roll 6 is provided with a shaft 7 which is rotatably sup orted in ayoke 8 which extends upwardly mm the tale 1 and surrounds the head 4.

The other end of the flyer body 3 is, reduced in diameter to provide ashaft portion 9 which is rotatably supported in a bearing 10 provided atthe top of a pedestal 11 extending upwardly from the table 1. The body 3is provided with an annular seat 12, adjacent the shaft portion 10, forreceiving a belt, not shown, by means of which the flyer body may berotated from any suitable source of power.

looking view along The flyer body 3 is formed with a plurality ofopenings 13 spaced along the horizontal axis thereof, each openingextending through the body as indicated in Fig. 4. A spool 14 isrotatably mounted in each of the openings 13 by means of a pin 15located in a radial hole 16 extending through the body 1 substantiallyat right angles to the openin 13. Longitudinal passages 17 are rovldedin the body 3, each passage 17 lea ing from one of the openings 13 tothe head 4, where the passages terminate at diametrically oppositepoints. The flycr body 3 is further provided with a longitudinal passage18 extending therethrough below the opening 13 as near as possible tothe longitudinal axis of the body 3, the passage 18 extending centrallythrough the shaft portion 9 at one end of the body 3 and terminatingsubstantially at the center of the head 4 at the other end of the body,for a purpose to be hereafter described. The flyer body 3 is preferablyformed in one casting with the head 4 and shaft portion 9 integraltherewith, and the various openings 13 and passages 17 and 18 formedtherein in any suitable manner.

As best shown in Fig. 5, a pair of tension rolls 19 and 20 are mountedon the head 4 adjacent to the end of each passage 17, the lower roll 19being rotatably supported in 9. lug 21 projecting outwardly from thehead 4. The upper roll 20 is yieldingly held in the direction of theroll 19 by means of a bearing block 22 slidably supported upon pins 23projecting from the lug 21. A nut 24, in threaded engagement with theend of each pin 23, serves to maintain a spring 25 thereon, so that thepressure of the springs is exerted against the block 22 and serves tohold the roll 20 in yielding engagement with the roll 19. The severalpairs of rolls 19 and 20 are arranged around the head, so thateach-passage 17 terminates adjacent to a pair of rolls, as best shown inFig. 2. Located substantiall at the center of the head 4 is a cone shapeortion 26 provided with a plurality of radial grooves 27, each of whichextends in the dlrection of a air of rolls 19 and 20, the portion 26being rther provided with a central opening 28 which re isters with theend of the passage 18.

ferring again to Fig. 1, a pair of feed rolls 29, 29 are mounted onshafts 30 to rotate 'in a substantially vertical lane, the shafts 30being supported at their ends by the upwardly extending arms 31 of ayoke 32 secured to the table 1. Each roll 29 is provided with aperipheral groove 33, the grooves 38 being adapted to register with eachother at the point of tangency of the rolls, and the caning 34 thusprovided between the. rolls ing substantially in alinemeat with the onin 28 in the portion 26. A line passing rang the openings 34 and 28would also substantially coincide with the axis of rotation of the flyerbody 3. Each roll shaft 30 is provided with a worm wheel 35 which is inmesh with a worm 36 mounted on a shaft 37. One end of the shaft 37 isrotatably mounted in a bearing bracket 38 projecting from the yoke 8,and the other end of the shaft 37 is rotatably sup orted in a bearing 39provided by the pe estal 11. :lhe shaft 37 is adapted to be connected tothe shaft portion 9 of the ilyer body 3 by means of a. train of gearing,which is best shown in Fig. 3.

A spur gear 40 is mounted on the shaft 37 beyond the bearing 39 and isin mesh with a gear 41, which is rotatably mounted on an arm 42 adaptedto swing about the axis of rotation of the shaft 37. The arm 42 isprovided with a slot 43, which receives a bolt 44 in threaded engagementwith a lug 45 projecting from the bearin 39. The arm 42 is furtherprovided witi a handle 46, by means of which it may be swung about theshaft 37 when the bolt 44 is loosened. In this way the gear 41 may bemoved about the gear 40 to bring the gear 41 into mesh with a gear 47rotatably mounted on the pedestal 11 on a fixed stud 48. A pinion -19 ismounted on the shaft portion 9 beyond the bearing 10 and is adapted tobe connected with the gear 47 by either one of two gears 50 and 51. Thegears 50 and 51 are rotatably mounted on a plate 52 which is adapted toswing about the axis of the stud 48. The gear 50 is adapted to beconstantly in mesh with the gear 47, while the gear 51 is adapted to beconstantly in mesh with the gear 5'0.

As best shown in Fig. 7, the plate 52 is provided with a handle 53 uponwhich is pivotally mounted a lever 54. A pin 55 is secured to one end ofthe lever 54 and is adapted to engage holes 56 and 57 provided in theplate 52. A spring 58 is confined between the handle 53 and the otherend of the lever 54 and serves to maintain the pin 55 in engagement withone of the holes 56 or 57. In the position of the parts shown in Fig. 3,the pin 55 is located in the hole 56, so that the position of the plate52 is such as to maintain the gear 50 in mesh with both the pinion 49and the gear 47. The gear 51 is then only an idler and does not transmitany power. With the gears in mesh as shown, it is obvious that rotationof the. shaft portion 9 will be transmitted to the shaft 37 and that theshaft 37 will rotate in the same direction as the shaft portion 9.

Having described the various parts entering into my invention, theoperation thereof is as follows :-The several spools 14 loaded with wire(or any other suitable flexible material) are inserted in the o nings 13and secured therein by means of t e ins 15. The wires from the spools14-are t on fed throu h the several passages 17 to the head 4, ansbetween theseveral pairs of tension rolls 19 and 20. The ends of thewires are then brought inwardly to the. cone portion 26, each wire beingplaced in one of the grooves 27. The wires may then be given severaltwists by hand to form a short length of cable, which is then projectedthrough the opening 34 provided by the grooves 33 of the feed rolls 29.

The flyer body 3 may then be rotated by connection to its source ofpower, which will cause the feed rolls 29 to be simultaneously drivenand thereby draw the completed cable through the opening 34. ltiisobvious that rotation of the head 4 will cause the several wires to becontinuously formed into a stranded cable. the wires passing easily fromthe spools 14 through the passages 17 and between the tension rolls l9and 20, whch tend to keep the wires taut between the windin point andthe ends of the passages 17. The completed cable is passed between therolls .29. as it is formed. and may be wound upon a suitable reelingdevice, not shown.

After the desired length of cable has been formed as described above.the takcup reel with the cable thereon may be removed and placed at theopposite end of the machine.

an emptv reel being substituted in its place.

The end of the cable may then be run throu h the passage 19 in the tiyerbody It and also through the 0 )enim 28 in the portion 26, from which te ca )le is projected between the feed rolls 29. as before. The machineis then ready for forming a second layer of cable, and where it isdesired to twist this second layer in a reverse direction as comparedwith the first layer. it is only necessary to reverse the direction ofrotation of the tlyer body 3. In order that the feed rolls 29 maycontinue to be driven in the same direction of rotation as before. it isonly necessary todepress the lever 54 on the handle 53 and move theplate 52 until the gear 51 meshes with the pinion 49. The plate 52 maybe locked in this )osition by releasing the lever 54 and allowing thepin 55 to seat in the hole 57. It is obvious that the gear 50 stillremains in mesh with both the gear 47 and the gear 51. so that thedirection of rotation of the shaft 37 will then be opposite to that ofthe shaft portion 9. Rotationof the tlyer body 3 will then cause thesecond layer of strands to be wound reversely to the first layer. whilethe feed rolls 29 continue to draw the linishcd cable from the twister.as before. it is obvious that this alternation of the layers may becontinued until a cable of the desired thickness is obtained. it is alsoobvious that a flexible core of any suitable material may be firstinserted through the passage 18 in the body 3 before the machine isoperated, so that one or more strands of wire or other flexible materialused for armoring or covering will be wound directly upon this core.Other variations in the operatmn may obviously be carried out to varythe product of the machine as desired.

From a consideration of the structure of my improved machine. it isobvious that the tlyer body 3 may be operated at high speeds heretoforeunobtainable without being sub ject to injurious vibrations set up bycentrifugal force, for the reason that the flyer is always completely inbalance. The disposition of the several reels along the longitudinalaxis of the flyer, with their axes of rotation intersectin the axis ofrotation of the tlyer substantially at right angles. is believed torepresent a distinct advance in the art as represented by prior windingor cabling machines. This arrangement also allows the wires to bebrought to the winding point from passages closely adjacent. so thatthere is no possibility of the wires becoming snarled, inasmuch as theyare confined in their passages and between the tension rollers foralmost the entire' distance from the spools to the winding point.Furthermore. my improved construction allows the flyer head to be madecomparatively small in diameter, so that it may be firmly supported byrolls directly engaging the outer periphery of the head. Thisconstruction serves to steady the head. thereby eliminating allpossibility of vibration during the twisting. The distribution of theweight oi the spools and wire along the axis of the flyer body insuresthat none of the bearings will be subjected to overloading, and it isobvious that as many bearings may be provided for supporting the tlyerbody as may be desirable.

\Vhile I have shown my invention as being embodied in a particulararrangement of parts. it is not so limited and it is obvious that theprinciples involved therein may be applied to other types of cabling,winding. armoring. stranding and twisting machines without departingfrom the spirit and scope of my invention. I desire therefore that onlysuch limitations be im osed thereon as come within the scope o theappended claims.

l claim,

l. A machine of the class described. comprising =1 rotatable tlyerhaving a solid body portion provided with apertures within which aremounted spools.

2. machine of the class described. comprising a rotatable fiyer'having asolid body portion provided with apertures spaced along it longitudinalaxis. and means for supporting a spool in each of said apertures. withits axis intersecting the axis of said body portion.

3. A machine of the class described. comprising a rotatable flyer havinga solid body portion provided with apertures, and means for removablysupporting a spool in each of said apertures.

4. A machine of the class described. comprising a rotatable tlyer havinga solid body portion provided with apertures. and passages extendingthrough the said body portion from said apertures.

5. A machine of the class described. comprising a rotatable tlycr havinga solid body portion provided with apertures and passages extendingthrough said body portion from said apertures and from one end thereofto one end of said body portion to the other.

6. In a machine of the class described, a rotatably mounted flyercomprising an elongated solid body portion and an enlarged flanged headportion. the said body portion being provided with apertures connectedto said head portion by longitudinal passages.

7. In a machine of the class described. a

rotatable flyer comprising an elongated body portion and an enlargedhead portion. the said body portion carrying a plurality of spools andthe said head portion being provided with rolls and passages extendingthrough said body portion between said rolls and said spools.

8. In a machine of the class described, a rotatable flyer comprising anelongatcd body portion carrying a plurality of spools. an enlarged headportion provided with rolls arranged about the axis of rotation of saidflyer. and passages extending through said body portion from said spoolsto said rolls.

9. In a machine of the class described, a rotatable tiycr comprising anelongated body portion carrying a plurality of spools, an enlarged headportion provided with a plurality of pairs of rolls arranged about theaxis of rotation of said flyer. passages extending through said bodyportion between said spools and said rolls. and a single passageextending the length of said body portion and terminating atsubstantially the center of said head portion.

it). In a machine of the class described, the combination with arotatable tl ver adapted by its rotation to wind a continuous cable. :1pair of rolls for receiving the wound cable therebetwccn. and gearingconnecting said rolls to said llyer. of means for con trolling theoperation of said gearing whereby said rolls are adapted to alwaysconvey the cable away from said flyer. irrespective of the direction ofrotation of said fiyer.

11. In a machine of the class described. the combination with arotatable tlyer adapted by its rotation to wind a continuous cable. apair of rolls for receiving the wound cable therebetween, and gearingconnecting said rolls to said fiyer. of means for revers ing thedirection of rotation of said'tlyer. and other means controlling theoperation of said gearing whereby said rolls are al ways driven in thesame direction of rota tion.

Dated this sixth day of July [H2].

FRANK H. SLEEPER.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1.458.997. grantedJune 19, 1923 upon the application of Frank H. Sleeper. nl' \Vorrcstor..TnFSaPiumPttS. for an improvement in Winding and Cabling Machines." anerror appears in the printed specification requiring correction asfollows: Page 4. lines 14 and 15. claim 5. strike out the words one endthereof to and insert the same to follow the word from first ocrurrence.in line 14; and that the said lA-ttrrs Patent should he read with thiscorrection therein that the same may con form to the reward of the vasein the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 17th day of July. A. D.. 1923.

[slur] WM. A. KINNAN,

Acting Uommvlwion r 0f Pawn,

